How do balloons interact when rubbed together?
Summary
In this science lab, students investigate how two balloons will interact with objects and each other when rubbed with a wool cloth. The students will test what happens when one rubs one balloon with the wool cloth and then both balloons. Students will compile observations from their lab experience and place them on a lab report form. The students will also develop new testable questions and perform experiments with their questions.
CollapseLearning Goals
Students will understand the characteristics of electrically charged objects.
Context for Use
This lab is suited for Grade 4 and any class size. For this lab, about 25 to 45 minutes is needed.
Materials:
-Two inflated balloons
-Two pieces of string (12 inches each)
-Tape
-Wool cloth.
This activity comes from the curriculum, McMillan McGraw Hill: Science: A Closer Look, 2008 Edition, Grade 4, Teacher Edition, Pages 562-563. This activity is easily adapted for use with different materials, i.e....sandpaper, tin foil, etc.
Materials:
-Two inflated balloons
-Two pieces of string (12 inches each)
-Tape
-Wool cloth.
This activity comes from the curriculum, McMillan McGraw Hill: Science: A Closer Look, 2008 Edition, Grade 4, Teacher Edition, Pages 562-563. This activity is easily adapted for use with different materials, i.e....sandpaper, tin foil, etc.
Description and Teaching Materials
The activity should start out with prior knowledge of the students. The teacher can ask questions like, What is lightning?, How are electricity and lightning related? What do you know about electricity? The teacher can have the students fill out a KWL chart.
Then, the teacher should explain the lab to the students and provide a pre-formatted lab sheet with the directions. Explain...the students will be given two balloons, 2 pieces of string, tape and a piece of wool cloth.
The students should first make a prediction about the lab. The teacher can ask questions like, "How will the two balloons interact if you rub one balloon with a wool cloth? What if you rub both balloons with the wool cloth?"
Then the students will continue with the lab as follows:
1.Tape a piece of string to each inflated balloon. Then, have a partner hold the balloons in the air about 12 inches apart.
2.Rub one balloon about ten times with a piece of wool cloth.
3.Observe
4. Rub the other balloon about ten times with the cloth.
5. Observe
6. Hold the wool cloth between the two balloons.
7. Observe
8. Place your hand between the two balloons.
9. Observe
When the students are completed with the lab, they should draw their conclusions.
Then the students can come up with their own testable questions using the materials. The teacher should have out other materials to rub the balloon with.
This activity comes from the curriculum, McMillan McGraw Hill: Science: A Closer Look, 2008 Edition, Grade 4, Teacher Edition, Pages 562-563.
Then, the teacher should explain the lab to the students and provide a pre-formatted lab sheet with the directions. Explain...the students will be given two balloons, 2 pieces of string, tape and a piece of wool cloth.
The students should first make a prediction about the lab. The teacher can ask questions like, "How will the two balloons interact if you rub one balloon with a wool cloth? What if you rub both balloons with the wool cloth?"
Then the students will continue with the lab as follows:
1.Tape a piece of string to each inflated balloon. Then, have a partner hold the balloons in the air about 12 inches apart.
2.Rub one balloon about ten times with a piece of wool cloth.
3.Observe
4. Rub the other balloon about ten times with the cloth.
5. Observe
6. Hold the wool cloth between the two balloons.
7. Observe
8. Place your hand between the two balloons.
9. Observe
When the students are completed with the lab, they should draw their conclusions.
Then the students can come up with their own testable questions using the materials. The teacher should have out other materials to rub the balloon with.
This activity comes from the curriculum, McMillan McGraw Hill: Science: A Closer Look, 2008 Edition, Grade 4, Teacher Edition, Pages 562-563.
Teaching Notes and Tips
When rubbing a balloon with a wool cloth, it puts negative charges on the balloon. Negative charges attract to positive charges. If a balloon is not rubbed with the wool cloth, it has an equal amount of negative to positive charges, so it will attract to a rubbed balloon. When both balloons are rubbed with the wool cloth, the both receive negative charges, so they will repel each other.
Assessment
The assessment for this lab will be the students' lab notes, with questions and observations. The teacher will determine, whether the student understands the goal from their lob notes.
Standards
4.II.C.2 - The student will investigate static electricity